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HTML, by itself, is actually a very easy language to learn. When you combine it with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and other web languages, then it becomes a little too much for non-web designers to absorb.

HTML is nothing more than instructions for the browser in the form of tags. Tags (not to be confused with WordPress Tags) are letter codes surrounded by brackets like this: . Your text and images need to be surrounded by these tags so the browser knows where to place the content and how to display it. Otherwise, the browser will do what it wants to. And it won’t be pretty.

Most tags come in pairs – an opening tag: and a closing tag: . You’ll notice the only difference is the “/” in the closing tag. This tells the browser that it has reached the end of this particular instruction. The browser will then continue to look for the next instruction.

Here is a list of the most common HTML tags you will encounter using WordPress: Read on…

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General

Most of these settings should be self explanatory. This is where you name your blog, tell WordPress the URL of your main blog page, the Admin email address, set date and time formats to be used throughout the website, and more.

Always click “Save Changes” if you’ve changed any of the settings.

Two settings that are important to mention… Read on…

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The first page under the Tools button is Tools. This provides links to two browser applications (Turbo & Press This). They do not have any affect on your website directly and therefore your users will not be affected by them.

Note: I’ve never used either program so I really don’t know how good they are.

Find out more here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Tools_Tools_SubPanel

Import

If you’re re-installing your WordPress website from a WordPress backup file or moving your website from another blog-type web platform, you will be able to import your exported file here. Read on…

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The Users button takes you to the section for managing your Users. The main area called Authors & Users gives a list of all your users with their usernames, actual names, email addresses, their assigned role, and how many posts they’ve created. If your website doesn’t accept users, then your name will be the only one listed.

You can edit each user’s info, assign them a role, or delete a user.

The first user created is always the Admin (administrator). This is a role that grants the user permission to make any and all changes to the website. Read on…

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Plug-ins are small programs specifically designed for use with WordPress. They add additional features and functionality that don’t come with the core WordPress software.

Manage Plug-ins

Click the Plug-ins button on the left hand side of the Dashboard. This will take you to a page that lists the installed plug-ins for your website. The list displays the name of each plug-in with a description of the plug-in to the right. Beneath the plug-in’s name are links to either Activate or Deactivate a plug-in. There is also an Edit link. DO NOT try to edit a plug-in unless you have some PHP programming skills. Read on…

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Themes

Themes, located under the Appearance button, are a group of files and images that create the look of your website. WordPress comes with a “Classic” and “Default” theme that are rather bland. Your web designer should have provided you with a more interesting design that is unique to your company.

By clicking on a theme’s thumbnail or the “activate” link, you will change your website design. Keep in mind that the theme that was created by your web designer may require features or functions not included in other themes. This could result in errors or missing content. Read on…

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Adding Categories

You can add new categories to your website by clicking the “Add New Category” in the Categories section of the post editing page or you can click on Categories under Posts on the left hand side of the screen. If you have a regular blog site, you can create new categories and delete old ones whenever you like. However if your website has a specially designed theme, then the new category may not appear on your website and you may have to ask your web designer to handle the new changes.

Media

The Media button works similar to the way you insert media into your posts. The big difference here is there is no button to “Insert into Post”. Therefore you would only use this method if you’re looking to upload media files for later use. Read on…

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To edit a post or page…

1) Navigate to the post or page you want to edit on your website and click “Edit This Entry”.

or

2) Log in to the Admin section, click on Posts (or Pages) and you’ll see a list of all your posts (or pages). Hover over the one you’re looking for and you’ll see additional links appear beneath it. Click on the “edit” link.

To create a new post or page, click the “Log in” link (or the “Site Admin” link if you’re already logged in). From the WordPress Dashboard, click on the “Add New” link under Posts or Pages.

At the top of the new page is the Title box for the title of your post. The title of your post is also used as the Title Meta Tag which shows up at the top of your browser and in search engines results. So you should take these things into consideration when titling your posts and pages. Read on…

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After you “login” you will be brought to what is known as the “Dashboard”. This is your backend administration section. It may seem a little overwhelming at first, but it is quite organized and easy to get to grips with compared to other software packages.

Along the top you have a link to the “frontend” of your website site at the top left. At the top right you have a drop-down button for quick links to common tasks, your username is displayed, a link to the Turbo tool (not necessary for everyone), and a log out link. For security purposes always log out when you are finished for the day. Someone who has access to your computer could easily access your protected website settings. Also, you don’t want to leave any open doors for potential hackers. Read on…